Poland & Budapest - Grand Tour

Depart for Gdańsk via Amsterdam.

Arrive in Gdańsk and transfer to your hotel. Enjoy free time before dinner

Travel to Elbląg for a unique cruise on the historic Elbląg Canal, where boats glide on water and tracks— an engineering marvel amid scenic landscapes. Then visit Malbork Castle, a UNESCO site and one of Europe’s largest brick fortresses. Explore its vast halls and towers, uncovering the Teutonic Knights’ legacy. Tonight, enjoy our Welcome Dinner!

This morning, take a guided walking tour of Gdańsk, visiting landmarks like the Golden Gate, Neptune Fountain, and St. Mary’s Church. The Old Town’s blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture offers great photo opportunities. After lunch on your own, enjoy a scenic train ride to Warsaw, where historic charm meets a modern skyline.

Start with a guided tour of Warsaw’s UNESCO-listed Old Town, including the Royal Castle, Sigismund’s Column, and Market Square. Stroll cobblestone streets lined with cafés and discover the city’s post-war rebirth. Explore Warsaw’s mix of historic and modern architecture, cultural sites, and shops. Enjoy free time before dinner and a Chopin concert celebrating Poland’s famous composer.

Start the day with a leisurely guided stroll through Łazienki Park, one of Warsaw’s most beautiful green spaces. Admire elegant pavilions, the stunning Palace on the Water, and the iconic Chopin Monument. Enjoy the rest of the day at leisure to explore Warsaw at your own pace.

Take a scenic train to Częstochowa and visit Jasna Góra Monastery, home to the revered Black Madonna—an iconic, spiritually significant painting famed for its miraculous powers since the 17th century. After lunch, travel by coach to Kraków, one of Poland’s most historic and vibrant cities. Enjoy a delicious dinner and sample local culinary delights this evening.

Morning guided tour of Krakow's UNESCO-listed Old Town, featuring the bustling Rynek Glowny and St. Mary's Basilica. After lunch, explore the historic Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, rich in heritage, WWII history, and cultural revival. Later enjoy free time or optionally visit the Museum of Schindler's Factory.

Wawel Castle and Cathedral, atop Wawel Hill, reveal centuries of Polish history. Explore lavish state rooms, the Crown Treasury, Royal Tombs, and the cathedral. Spend the afternoon at leisure or join an optional Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial visit for a moving reflection on the Holocaust.

Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines, a UNESCO site with stunning underground chambers, salt sculptures, and St. Kinga’s Chapel. Return to Kraków for a relaxed afternoon. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Polish dinner with a Klezmer concert, then board the overnight Chopin train to Budapest.

PLS. NOTE CHANGE: OVERNIGHT TRAIN IS REPLACED BY COACH TO VIGLAS, SLOVAKIA overnight at hotel with dinner!

PLS. NOTE CHANGE: AS THERE IS NO TRAIN, THE GROUP WILL TRANSFER FROM VIGLAS, SLOVAKIA TO ESZTERGOM (VISIT BASILICA AREA), SZENTENDRE (ARTIST'S VILLAGE), ONWARDS TO BUDAPEST.

Transfer to your hotel on the peaceful Margaret Island, just moments from the city’s historic heart. Enjoy a brief orientation of the hotel and spa. The rest of the day is yours to relax and unwind— be sure to experience the hotel’s thermal spa and the calming Salt Cave.

Explore Pest, Budapest’s vibrant flat side, with its grand architecture and culture. Tour Heroes’ Square, Andrássy Avenue, the State Opera House, Parliament, Jewish Quarter, and Grand Market Hall. End with a stroll down lively Váci Utca.

Cross the Danube to Buda, known for medieval charm and sweeping views. Ride a petite train up Castle Hill - home to the Royal Palace, Matthias Church, and Fishermen’s Bastion. With its cobbled streets and rich history, Buda offers a perfect contrast to lively Pest. This evening, enjoy a hands-on Hungarian cooking class and dinner.

Enjoy a free day in Budapest—relax at the spa, visit iconic landmarks, or sip coffee at Gerbeaud or the New York Café. Tonight, we bid Farewell on a magical illuminated dinner cruise on the Danube.

“Viszontlátásra” (until we meet again) as we fly home via Amsterdam.